Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats. On the first day at 1 pm, 14 Sagicho Festival floats gather at Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal.363 views

This design won 3rd place. White sugar is one of the ingredients.104 views

Sagicho Matsuri, Shiga95 views

Life-like boar, all edible materials.92 views

From 2 pm, the procession starts and the floats start to exit the shrine. Also see the video at YouTube.82 views

On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base all to be set afire in the end.78 views

The place is packed with people. Normally, it is a parking lot. The shrine is a few minutes by bus from Omi-Hachiman Station. MAP76 views

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Then a torch touches a few places to set it afire.74 views

First, sake is sprinkled over the float.72 views

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Float bearers make a circle and spin around while shouting "Cho-yare" or "Masse masse!"69 views

Dai-niku float in front of Hakuunkan, a classic Western-style building, now a tourist info office and exhibition gallery. Also see the video at YouTube. Sagicho Festival, Omi-Hachiman. 第二区69 views

Maid costume68 views

In front of the torii gate, two floats join up.63 views

They bond in friendship. These photos were taken on March 17-18, 2007, year of the boar. 63 views

This is a Takara-bune (Treasure Boat) design.62 views

Unlike the next day when the floats will clash with each other, here and within the shrine.62 views

Three floats ablaze. 奉火62 views

Sanwakai float. 参和会61 views

It has a cherry tree, a red sake cup, and boar. Sagicho floats depict animals from the Oriental Zodiac, and 2007 was the Year of the Boar.60 views

Shrine priest on horseback and behind him on another horse is the mayor of Omi-Hachiman who serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Sagicho Festival.60 views

Introduction of all Sagicho floats: Fourteen floats from various districts of Omi-Hachiman then paraded through a circular route. This is the Dai-ikku float. 第一区60 views